every tint — the dear old China-rose, pink and crimson, having its due 

 place. 



When first laid out, this truly delightful garden was divided into four 

 rectangular plots, which were further subdivided into beds of fairly 

 simple pattern, edged with box or myrtle, among which the arms of the 

 family occupy a prominent place. From this garden, stairs led to a lower 

 terrace, now grassed over, but, according to an old plan, this was another 

 box-garden laid out in equally simple fashion. 



Yet another delightful little garden is entered from the grove 

 of plane-trees. It is planted irregularly with fruit-trees and flowering 

 shrubs, and is rendered specially charming by some beds of delicate tea- 

 roses which rejoice in the pleasant shade cast by a giant stone pine. At 

 the edge of the garden, and overhanging the terrace wall, is another 

 fantastic boat-fountain, " Fontana della Barchetta," but of quite different 

 design from the one in the parterre. Placed between two piers is an oval 

 basin, some ten to fifteen feet in length, which overhangs a grotto and 

 fountain on the lower level. Floating, or seeming to float, in this basin 

 is a barchetta, the sides of which are panelled and decorated with the 

 Aldobrandini star. 



In the' midst of this is a spirited group of two amorini astride on 

 dolphins ; what they are doing in this gaPere it is no concern of ours to 

 inquire so long as they look picturesque and help the composition. 



To-day a solitary jet of water rises between them, and falling back 

 keeps the group and all around in a state of perpetual moisture, which not 

 only has the effect of making the stone-work a most exquisite colour, but 

 has encouraged a marvellous growth of yellow mimulus, converting the 

 fountain into a veritable water-garden. In one of his prints Falda shows 

 a variation in this fountain ; the two flanking vases being replaced by 

 great convoluted shells, in which playful youngsters are seated, who hold 

 conchs to their mouths through which they blow water over the central 

 group of amorini, who return the compliment. 



On the opposite side of the palace is the companion fountain, backed 

 by a grove of ilex on a lower level, which is shown in one of the accom- 

 panying pictures. 



65 



